The process of obtaining a bail bond for a release from county jail varies greatly from state to state. Accordingly, so do the rules and regulations for being out on bond while awaiting an upcoming court hearing. So what does being out on bond mean, exactly? A person who is out on bond has used a bail bond company to get out of jail. While awaiting their scheduled court hearing, the person remains out on bond until they appear for court to be sentenced. Once they appear for court, their obligations to the bail bond agreement are void.
While out on bond, a person has to follow a regulated list of rules. These rules vary from state to state, and from company to company, but all bail bond agreements have fundamental rules that all clients must obey if they want to avoid additional legal repercussions. One such rule has to do with interstate travel.
Continue reading to learn the limitations and allowances for going on vacation while out of jail on a bail bond, BEFORE packing up and hitting the road!
Bail Bond Agreements
Bail bond agreements are contracts, which means they legally binds an indemnitor (co-signer) to certain legal requirements. These requirements are mandatory, and if neglected, will lead to additional legal repercussions. Signing a bail bond contract means that you are accepting the terms and conditions of the agreement, which includes contractually agreeing to ensure the defendant appears for all scheduled court hearings.
If a person signs a bail bond contract, and the defendant they signed for fails to appear (FTA) for their court hearing, or leaves the state, they are responsible for tracking down the defendant and ensuring they go to court, as well as, paying fines and any related fees for tracking down the defendant. This includes the full bond amount, but also, compensation for the bail bondsman in terms of long-distance calls, travel expenses, administrative time, attorney fees, additional court costs, and more.
Going on Vacation Breaches a Bail Contract
The type of bail bond you’re out on (Federal or State), combined with many other factors, will determine whether or not you will be allowed to travel out of the state when out on bond. And if you are allowed to travel, there could also be restrictions on where and how far you can go. In all cases, no one out on bond is permitted to leave the country.
Most often, traveling out of the city is not a problem, but if a person who is bonded out of jail on a bail bond leaves the state to go on vacation, they are probably going to be in immediate breach of their bail bond agreement. In some cases, a person is allowed to travel out of state, so long as it national. On the other hand, if a person is out on a federal bail bond, they will most likely be ordered to remain in the state, and even the city.
In all cases, a person is still required to ask their bail bondsman permission first. Every case is different, and the law can be complex at times. So before you make any travel plans, it is vital to contact your bail bondsman to ask them directly about your individual travel restrictions, if any. This is the best way to determine if you are legally allowed to travel to your desired destination.
Where to Get Secure Bail Bonds in Indiana
Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for safe and secure Indianapolis bail bonds you can trust. We also offer prearranged bail bond services for those needing to surrender to an arrest warrant. In some cases, we can get you turned in and released in as little as one hour. And don’t forget that right now, we are offering 8% bail bonds! Request a free estimate or jail information, anytime.
